What Does Having a Pure Heart Mean?

As I grew older, I started wondering what that meant.  I thought, “What does it mean when it says ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God’”?  “Will only the pure in heart see God?”  “What does it mean to be pure in heart then?”  I turned to The Word for answers. 

Being Pure in Heart means:

• Love
• Good Conscience
• Sincere Faith
• Not Trusting False Idols or Swearing By False Gods
• Clean Hands
• Lack of Guilt Through Repentance
• Free of Sin
• No Earthly Desires
• Speaking with Grace
• Righteousness
• Peace
• Cleanliness
• Pure Thoughts

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Let’s read this verse in its context.

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

⁸ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Psalm 24:4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

Let’s look at Psalm 24:4 in context.

¹ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

³ Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.

⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

This verse seems to allude to being born again.  It reads to “create” in me a pure heart and “renew” a steadfast spirit within me.  We are a “new creation” when we are born again into the Spirit.  We are to be transformed by the “renewing” of our minds.

Psalm 51:10 in context:

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Psalm 73:1 in context

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

¹ Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.

² But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
    I had nearly lost my foothold.
³ For I envied the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ They have no struggles;
    their bodies are healthy and strong.
⁵ They are free from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.
⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace;
    they clothe themselves with violence.
⁷ From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
    their evil imaginations have no limits.
⁸ They scoff, and speak with malice;
    with arrogance they threaten oppression.
⁹ Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.
¹⁰ Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.
¹¹ They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?”

¹² This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

¹³ Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.
¹⁴ All day long I have been afflicted,
    and every morning brings new punishments.

¹⁵ If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this,
    it troubled me deeply
¹⁷ till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground;
    you cast them down to ruin.
¹⁹ How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors!
²⁰ They are like a dream when one awakes;
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.

²¹ When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?

Proverbs 20:9 in context:

Proverbs 20

¹ Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

² A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.

³ It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴ Sluggards do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

⁵ The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶ Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?

⁷ The righteous lead blameless lives;
    blessed are their children after them.

⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge,
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
    I am clean and without sin”?

¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures—
    the Lord detests them both.

¹¹ Even small children are known by their actions,
    so is their conduct really pure and upright?

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both.

Proverbs 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

Proverbs 22:11 in context:

¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

² Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.

³ The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

⁴ Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor and life.

⁵ In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
    but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

⁶ Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor,
    and the borrower is slave to the lender.

⁸ Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
    and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

⁹ The generous will themselves be blessed,
    for they share their food with the poor.

¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.

¹¹ One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.

¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

¹³ The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
    I’ll be killed in the public square!”

¹⁴ The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
    a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.

¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

¹⁶ One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
    and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

This is the verse that started it all for me.  Let’s read Matthew 5:8 in context:

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

2 Timothy 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 22 in context:

¹⁹ God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Let’s look at a couple other verses about the heart.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22 in context:

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. ³³ Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. ³⁴ You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. ³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

³⁸ And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21 in context:

Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Money in this verse means anything you are serving other than God.

To summarize, having a pure heart means:

• Love
• Good Conscience
• Sincere Faith
• Not Trusting False Idols or Swearing By False Gods
• Clean Hands
• Lack of Guilt Through Repentance
• Free of Sin
• No Earthly Desires
• Speaking with Grace
• Righteousness
• Peace
• Cleanliness

Jesus knows what is on your heart.  Your thoughts come from your heart.  Read what Jesus says in Mark 2.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

¹ And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ² And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. ³ And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. ⁵ And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” ⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷ “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” ⁸ And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?

God knows what is on your heart.  Your thoughts come from your heart.

Luke 16

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

¹ He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. ² And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ ³ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ ⁵ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ ⁷ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ ⁸ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. ⁹ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

¹⁰ “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. ¹¹ If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? ¹² And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? ¹³ No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

The Law and the Kingdom of God

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Jesus knows what is on your heart.  Your thoughts come from your heart.

Acts 15

The Jerusalem Council

¹ But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. ³ So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. ⁴ When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. ⁵ But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. ⁷ And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, ⁹ and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

A Pure Heart Equals:

• Love
• Good Conscience
• Sincere Faith
• Not Trusting False Idols or Swearing By False Gods
• Clean Hands
• Lack of Guilt Through Repentance
• Free of Sin
• No Earthly Desires
• Speaking with Grace
• Righteousness
• Peace
• Cleanliness

• And PURE THOUGHTS

Here are some Scriptures to emphasize this.

Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

1 Chronicles 29:18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

Psalm 10:4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

Psalm 94:11 the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Isaiah 55:7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 66:18 “For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory,

Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

This leads us into Your Plans vs God’s Will.  We are going to learn the reasons why you are to not mess around with spirits and mediums.  Demons can influence your thoughts and even give you nagging thoughts as well as doubt.  This has been proved through interviews of those who have performed exorcisms and speaking with those who have been possessed by demons.  Mediums and such others involved in this practice of listening to “spirits” cannot discern their familiar spirits (demons) from God’s angelic host.  Discernment comes from the Holy Spirit and from Fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.

Doesn’t matter what plans you have, what God’s will and judgment is will stand.

1 Kings 22

¹⁹ And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

²⁰ And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

²¹ And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.

²² And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

²³ Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Your plans will not prevail against His will.  This is also proof of those messing around with demons not having discernment.  This spirit came forth to the Lord and said he would be a lying spirit in the mouth of Ahab’s prophets.  The spirit influenced the thoughts of the prophets and the prophets could not discern the voice.  They didn’t even know the difference between the spirit(s) they had been talking to and between the spirit that was sent from God.

This is a good reason not to be messing around with spirits (demons).  Yes, all spirits you are talking to are demons, whether through your Ouija board or in trances or drugs, or whatever form you choose.  You have no idea who you are talking to.  These spirits are ancient and have been around a long time. They aren’t playing games.

Your thoughts can also change you.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Research has shown us that stress can influence our bodies.  Stress, fear, and negative thoughts can worsen physical illnesses, make us more prone to illness, set off the fight or flight response, and contract our muscles.  We now know that when our brain makes a decision, different neural networks compete with one another until one becomes activated and produces the desired result. 

When you have a thought, there is a corresponding chemical reaction in your mind and body.  This means that what you think affects how you feel.  What you think and feel, then affects your health. Wouldn’t you think logically that demons would be attracted to negative thinkers? Scripture tells us to keep our thoughts pure!  There is a sect of people who are into the power of positivity, but really this has a Biblical basis.  What does Scripture tell us to do?  Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!  God knows it’s not just about thinking positive.  It’s about praising the Lord and our God lives in our praises!

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

There is another group of people who believe in the law of attraction.  It’s not something I or any Christian should believe in, but in a sense it has some aspects of truth to it.  If you are using a Ouija board, you’re going to attract demons.  If you are practicing yoga, you are going to attract demons.  These demons are certainly going to manifest into your life.  The Law of Attraction is pretty bogus and unscriptural, but if you look at it through spiritual lenses, it’s pretty scary knowing what unclean spirits some people can attract into their lives. 

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.  Do not fix your mind and thoughts on successes, earthly possessions, your inner-self, Your mind and thoughts should be pure of heart.

Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked

Stop going after your heart’s desires. And this phrase is thrown at us all day long:  “Follow your heart”.  Stop using this phrase.  Our heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.  We just read it!  We should never being chasing after our own heart and our hearts desires.  It opens up demonic doors where evil can come in.  We should be chasing after our Father in Heaven’s heart.  When, we do that, He will give us our heart’s desires.  He knows what they truly are.  Follow God.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Stay focused on God.  And, guard your heart and your thoughts, keeping them pure.

Proverbs 4:23-27

²³ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

²⁶ Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

This is Spiritual Mind Warfare!

2 Corinthians 10

¹ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: ² But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

You need to bring every single thought in the obedience of Jesus Christ.  We are all sinners.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  If you have a thought that is not of the Kingdom of God, throw it into the abyss and rebuke it.  Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  When we fear the Lord, we’ve repented, and we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, we can discern between good and evil thoughts.  We can take thoughts captive.  Any thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God can be tossed aside.

God Renews Your Mind!  If you have not been born again, I urge you to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and into your life.  Ask for forgiveness of your sins.  Repent.  Ask for the Holy Spirit and be transformed!

Romans 12

¹  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

³ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

John 3:1-5

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

You must be born again in order to have your mind renewed so that you can see, capture your thoughts, and keep them pure.  Your thoughts come from the heart.  Being able to take your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ keeps your thoughts pure and produces:

• Love
• Good Conscience
• Sincere Faith
• Not Trusting False Idols or Swearing By False Gods
• Clean Hands
• Lack of Guilt Through Repentance
• Free of Sin
• No Earthly Desires
• Speaking with Grace
• Righteousness
• Peace
• Cleanliness